Tunable Thermal Rectification and Negative Differential Thermal Resistance in Gas-Filled Nanostructure with Mechanically-Controllable Nanopillars

In this study, by using the nonequilibrium molecular dynamics and the kinetic theory, we examine the tailored nanoscale thermal transport via a gas-filled nanogap structure with mechanically-controllable nanopillars in one surface only, i.e., changing nanopillar height. It is found that both the thermal rectification and negative differential thermal resistance (NDTR) effects can be substantially enhanced by controlling the nanopillar height. The maximum thermal rectification ratio can reach 340% and the increment T range with NDTR can be significantly enlarged, which can be attributed to the tailored asymmetric thermal resistance via controlled adsorption in height-changing nanopillars, especially at a large temperature difference. These tunable thermal rectification and NDTR mechanisms provide insights for the design of thermal management systems.

Automated summary

This study investigates tailored nanoscale thermal transport by using a gas-filled nanogap structure with mechanically-controllable nanopillars. The results show that both thermal rectification and negative differential thermal resistance effects can be significantly enhanced by controlling the nanopillar height. These mechanisms provide insights for the design of thermal management systems.